CHATTER: UCLA RELIES ON GRECO.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

UCLA point guard Erica Gomez is injured and will miss the start of the women's basketball season. Too bad, because the Bruins figure to be among the nation's best.

All starters return, including Gomez and forward Maylana Martin, who has been touted as an All-America by several organizations. UCLA also has been picked in the top five in numerous polls.

``It's a good thing,'' UCLA coach Kathy Olivier said. ``It's about time. We earned it.''

Now to see if the Bruins can prove it at the start of the season. It won't be as easy without Gomez.

Are you ready for your close-up, Michelle Greco?

``Greco proved herself last year,'' Olivier said of the sophomore. ``She can do it.''

Greco, a Crescenta Valley graduate, often played the point when Gomez rested, or when she was hurt in the NCAA Tournament last spring.

But Olivier has more options than just Greco, who was primarily a shooting guard in high school. Freshman Nicole Kazmarski played the point, but Olivier isn't sure she wants a true freshman to be on the floor when the Bruins begin in November.

There's also shooting guard LaCresha Flannigan, who proved last year she, too, could bring the ball down the court.

Practice begins Saturday. . . .

Former Hart soccer player Erin Misaki was named to the all-tournament team at Washington's Nike Husky Invitational. Misaki scored the first goal and assisted on the second in Portland's 2-1 victory over Washington. It was Portland's third straight Husky title. . . .

Cal soccer forward Kendall Simmonds, formerly of Royal High, leads the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with six assists in 10 matches. . . .

Pepperdine diving coach Nick Rodionoff, who guided Birmingham High to 10 boys' and four girls' City swim titles in 33 years, was honored with the Fred Cady Memorial Coaches Award, given biannually to coaches who have dedicated 25 or more years to diving and have developed talent nationally and internationally. . . .

Ohio Wesleyan field hockey player Lisa Payfer, a Royal graduate, scored a goal in her team's loss to Wooster. Payfer has four goals and three assists in 11 matches. . . .

Lancaster Stealth shortstop Jack Wilson, the Thousand Oaks High product who injured his left wrist crashing into a concrete wall in foul territory at Rancho Cucamonga last Wednesday, took ground balls and some batting practice on Tuesday and could return sometime this weekend. . . .

Lake Elsinore pitcher Sean Douglass (Antelope Valley High) was scheduled to start Tuesday's game but was scratched after taking a line drive off his left knee in his previous outing. . . .

The Valley United Stars a girls' under-13 soccer team, opened its Coast Silver North League season with four victories. Katie Oakes, Cassidy Runyon and Britany Hougardy have provided much of the scoring. Goalie Melissa Deckers earned a shutout each time. Other team members: Lindsay Flax, Laura Brown, Jeanette Lorme, Kellie Corbett, McKenzie Hill, Elia Petrosian, Robyn Blondeel-Timmerman, Katie Zabinski, Chelsea Arcos, Andrea Blumker, Anna Farias-Eisner, Danielle Paniccia, Loren Tacconelli and Kaitlin Zika. . . .

USC baseball is hosting a golf tournament on Nov. 8. Cost is $300 per golfer, $1,100 per foursome or $1,350 per fivesome. Information: [phone], 740-4160 or 740-0687.

- Staff writer Chris Cocoles contributed.